Summary:
Take advantage of the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica: flying. A short flight takes you to the White Continent where you will enjoy everything the Antarctic has to offer. Immense penguin rookeries and icy landscapes await your arrival. Take in the full Antarctic experience, while only having to cruise the Drake Passage once. This program will emphasize wildlife viewing, possible visits to scientific bases, and breathtaking scenery with narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Experience the beauty and wonder of the White Continent!

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Punta Arenas, ChileYour journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile. This port city is situated at the southern tip of Chile, on the north bank of the Strait of Magellan. Once a Chilean penal colony, Punta Arenas has transformed into a vibrant city offering you plenty of attractions to explore including historic sites and museums. Explore the city by day, and then join fellow travelers later in the evening.

Day 2: Antarctica Flight / Embarkation DayToday, board your chartered flight to Antarctica. The journey over the Drake Passage will take a few short hours, whereas ship-based travelers take two days to make the journey by sea. Your first glimpse of Antarctica comes into view shortly before the aircraft descends towards King George Island, hope for clear skies so you can appreciate the vastness of this great continent! Join up with the ship later in the day, when you’ll get your first trip in a Zodiac and begin your exploration of the Antarctic region.

Days 3 - 5: Antarctic Peninsula / South Shetland IslandsYou’ll get a sense that you’ve arrived on a new planet during the start of your Antarctic voyage, as the pristine nature and dramatic environments are like nothing else on earth. From the vessel, watch as whales swim and feed in the nutrient-rich waters and spot penguins porpoising in the water and jumping aboard ice floes. Just as amazing as the wildlife are the towering snow-covered mountains and massive glaciers of the Peninsula, which will be your playground for the next four days.

Every Zodiac excursion and landing presents new sights, sounds and smells. Some landings may be as relaxing as sitting on a beach, taking photographs of curious gentoo penguins. Other landings may provide exhilarating panoramic views of the Antarctic continent by hiking atop a hill. Perhaps catch a calving glacier crumbling into the sea at Petermann Island, or take a Zodiac cruise in search of fur and elephant seals around Pléneau Island.

Even common travel experiences like mailing a postcard take on an extra level of excitement in Antarctica. While weather and sea conditions determine which landings we can make, your Expedition Team will ensure that each day of your Antarctic adventure leaves a lasting impression.

Days 6 - 7: Crossing the Drake PassageA rite of passage for any Antarctic adventurer, the Drake signals the end of your journey. No matter the sea conditions, you will benefit from having developed your sea legs over the course of the previous four days.The Expedition Team will be available on deck and on the ship’s bridge to help you spot the majestic wandering albatross and a number of whale species, such as Minke and Humpback.

When you’re not chatting with fellow passengers and reminiscing about the previous days, listen to the Expedition Team conclude their series of engaging presentations on subjects such as marine biology, polar history and glaciology.

Day 8: Ushuaia, ArgentinaAfter a final breakfast aboard the ship, say goodbye to your crew as you disembark in Ushuaia. Transfer to your included hotel to check in and then you’ll have a chance to explore the town on your own to shop, sight see and sample some Argentinian cuisine.

Day 9: Depart for HomeToday you are free to make your way to the airport for departure, or extend your stay in Ushuaia.

Trip Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Travel Insurance:All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends at least $200,000 Emergency Medical/Evacuation coverage for Antarctic trips which includes coverage for cancellation, trip disruption, baggage and personal property. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.

Luggage Weight Restrictions: Luggage can weigh no more than 15kg (33 lbs.) for the flights from and to Punta Arenas, Chile.

Sea Kayaking Option:Not included in cruise rate. See rates page for price. Minimum age 16 years. This is a pre-booked option for kayakers with some experience. Places are strictly limited so please advise at time of booking. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for additional details.

Charter Flights:Every effort will be made to ensure the program takes place, but due to weather conditions, flying in this region can be difficult and on rare occasions not possible. For this reason, we strongly recommend that all expedition travellers purchase a travel insurance policy including trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance in case of weather. In the unlikely event that the charter flight is unable to fly on day 2 or day 3 due to weather delays, hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas will be provided. On day 4, should the charter flight not be able to take off by 1400hrs, the voyage will be officially cancelled. Passengers will not be offered a refund by the shipping company in the event of trip cancellation, nor will they offer passengers compensation in the event of delay. The shipping company will make every effort to assist passengers with rebooking hotels or flights, but this will be at the cost of the passengers. Passengers on board the ship during a delay will remain on board with no additional cost until the time in which the charter flight is able to arrange transport. Passengers are advised to book changeable airlines tickets and have flexible travel arrangements upon disembarkation of the voyage in case delays arise. ExpeditionTrips will not be held responsible for any change/cancellations fees due to weather related delays or any other delays arising from force majeure.

Included:One pre-expedition night hotel in Punta Arenas; group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to hotel for passengers if you arrive on Day 1 of the program or one day prior only; group transfer from your hotel to the airport in conjunction with the charter flight to Antarctica; charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica and transfer to the ship; group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia to hotel; one post-expedition night hotel in Ushuaia with breakfast; shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board ship; shore landings per the daily program; Zodiac cruising per the daily program; Photographic Journal on DVD; waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; luggage handling aboard ship; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person*. Subject to change without notice.

Not Included:Any airfare except the charter flight from Puntas Arenas to Antarctica; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes, Argentina's Reciprocity Fee; any meals ashore unless otherwise specified; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, except as mentioned in the included section; cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; supplements for adventure options; fuel surcharge may apply.

*Emergency Evacuation Insurance: Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.

True experts with first-hand polar experience, the ExpeditionTrips staff has sailed on the ships they represent; with a combined amount of 100 Antarctic trips between them;and can help you thoroughly compare and contrast the expeditions.

Their approach to travel is highly personal and professional, offering unbiased travel assistance to ensure you choose the very best Antarctica trip to meet your needs!

ExpeditionTrips works only with the highest quality small ships-all under 200 passengers-ranging from a 48-passenger Russian research vessel to a 200-passenger luxury expedition ship.